By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has identified lack of core value and over-ambition of young military officers who do not want to wait for their turn as the major causes of coups d’état in Africa.

The UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Matthew Alao, said this in an interview with newsmen after the Graduation Ceremony of the Leadership and National Cohesion Course at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, in Jaji, Kaduna State.

He said that though the military cannot be divorced from the society where it situates, but over-ambition by young military officers, eroding core societal values, religious beliefs, and lack of education are the key reasons for more coups in West African countries and Africa at large.

Alao who noted that then fundamental problem the world is facing today is the lack of core values, said this resulted to persistent coups and counter-coups staged in Africa by military officers.

“Our core values are fast breaking down. You will see agitation and expectation on so many issues that may not be reality.

“Most people don’t go to school. Some do go to school but do not have employable skills. This contributes to what is happening.

And because the military cannot be divorced from the society where it situates, they also feel part of that agitation. When that cry is going on, it speculates and overshadows the event. I think that is one of the reasons for coups.

“Then, maybe over-ambition by the young officers. They don’t want to wait for their turn. The idea of young people wanting to be there is another cause of coups.

“Young people need to learn. Because if young people don’t learn, we continue to somersault. After all, this country was ruled by 27-year-olds. At a point they delivered, but they didn’t deliver well. If the military of those days had the necessary experience and requisite vision when Nigeria was still in the morning, they would have planned our future and laid the foundation and we wouldn’t be where we are today. We wouldn’t be clamoring for roads, infrastructure, and all that.

Suppose the people that found this country, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, were able to do something up to the late 80s, Nigeria would have been better than this. The situation we are now is dangerous.

“In those days, Ibadan was flourishing, Kaduna was a hub, Lagos was a factory ground, but within a blink of an eye under the Structural Adjustment Program, everything collapsed.”

He expressed concern that this leadership deficit was taking a toll on the country and should be addressed right from the family unit to the community level

Alao described Nigeria today as very individualistic, saying, “We have lost it. Now it’s all about I and my family. And this is leading us nowhere. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.”

”Leadership start with us as parent that brings little children to this world. Leadership starts from grassroots.

”Unfortunately, we have lost it. Nigeria today is very individualistic. It’s all about i and my family. And this is leading us to no where. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.

”If nothing is done to address the leadership deficit from the family unit, from the community unit and community level, we are not going anywhere. Money can not save our society.”

He said the leadership course, which happened to be the brainchild of the past Commandant of the Peacekeeping Centre, Major General Obinna, was born due to the spate of coups happening in West Africa.

“They felt that providing leadership training to the middle-level military and civilians is an antidote to it.

”They felt that because that quality training, that orientation on subordination is weakening in the military and political space of West Africa. They felt that UNDP, with the funding made available by the government of Japan, is sponsoring it,” Alao added.

By Omolola Dede Adeyanju

Following the Federal Government’s declaration of Monday, 17th and Tuesday, 18th June, 2024 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration, the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro has deployed more officers and men for the protection of national assets.

This was related through a press release signed by the PRO, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, DSC Oluwaseun Abolurin. According to him, “The Lagos State Commandant has immediately deployed personnel to protect transmission lines and towers in the state, following the express directive issued, by the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji – Ojo to the Corps, during the passing out parade of the second ( 2nd ) batch of mining marshals at Abuja on Friday.”

He said that Eid-ul-Adha is the latter of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year and It honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) to sacrifice his son, Ismail as an act of obedience to God’s command.

“The officers and men deployed for this assignment were drawn from various departments, units, area commands, divisions, points, and other relevant formations of the command across the state.”

The commandant further said, “This deployment is also aimed at ensuring the effective protection of all our critical national assets and infrastructure; transmission lines and towers, oil and gas pipelines, power installations, telecommunications, railway systems, road, water resources, government buildings, hospitals, schools and many more across the state while the celebration progresses.”

He seized the opportunity to felicitate the Muslim Ummah and sued for peace, sacrifice , kindness, love and unity amongst citizens across the state as exemplified by the aforementioned Prophet above.

However, the Lagos State commandant also warned against all criminal elements, particularly vandals, to desist from their evil and disastrous acts of economic sabotage or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

“We will not go to bed during the holidays but rather remain fervent and committed to the corps’ mandates and statutory functions, as embedded in the act establishing our dear service, standard operating procedures, code of conduct and guidelines and other extant laws,” he added.